Franken Resignation Latest Twist for Seat with Long History

December 08, 2017 09:52 AM

Al Franken's resignation from the U.S. Senate is just the latest in decades worth of unusual developments involving the Senate seat he now holds. Here's a recap of what's happened over the past four decades:

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1976: Democrat Walter Mondale resigns from the seat after being elected vice president. Democrat Wendell Anderson resigns from his position as Minnesota governor to take over for Mondale.

2002: Near the end of his second term, Wellstone dies in a plane crash near Eveleth. Mondale runs as a last-minute replacement for Wellstone, but loses to Republican Norm Coleman. Despite Coleman's victory, Gov. Jesse Ventura appoints Dean Barkley to serve the remainder of Wellstone's term. Barkley fills the seat for two months until Coleman takes office in January 2003.

2009: Coleman's term ends without a replacement amid a controversial recount, and the seat sits vacant for six months. Democrat Al Franken takes office in the summer after it's ruled that he won by 312 votes.

2017: Franken resigns halfway through his second term. Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to announce an appointee to serve for one year.

2018: Special election to serve the remaining two years of Franken's term.